San Diego, CA – Ross Ohlendorf tossed six-plus strong innings on Tuesday and the San Diego Padres topped the Chicago Cubs, 7-4, in the middle installment of a three-game series at Petco Park.
Ohlendorf (4-2) allowed two runs -- one earned -- on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts to snap a personal two-game losing streak.
Brad Boxberger, Alex Hinshaw and Brad Brach each recorded an out in the seventh, Luke Gregerson tossed a scoreless eighth and Huston Street nailed down his 20th save of the season with a perfect ninth.
Carlos Quentin clubbed a three-run home run, while Chase Headley and Everth Cabrera each had a two-run single for the Padres, who have won three consecutive games. Logan Forythe added a pair of hits and two runs scored.
"He's a proven offensive player when he's in there," Padres manager Bud Black said of Quentin. "He's a weapon, an offensive weapon, like a lot of good players."
Josh Vitters picked up his first major league hit with a pinch-hit, two-run double, while Darwin Barney and Steve Clevenger knocked in runs for the skidding Cubs, who lost for the seventh straight time.
Brooks Raley (0-1) made his major league debut and was tagged for seven runs on eight hits and three walks with four strikeouts over four innings.
"I was definitely nervous," said Raley. "Obviously it was a good experience and a good one to get out of the way. I learned a lot out there."
The Padres opened the scoring with four runs in the third inning. Ohlendorf got things started with a single back through the box and Chris Denorfia walked. Forsythe followed with a single to load the bases and Headley brought home a pair with a base hit to center. Cabrera singled home two more runs later in the frame.
Forsythe and Headley reached with two-out singles in the fourth before Quentin got a fastball from Raley and belted it just over the wall in left-center field, extending the San Diego lead to a comfortable 7-0 margin.
The Cubs got on the board courtesy of an RBI double by Barney in the fifth and they added three more runs in the seventh to cut the deficit to 7-4. Bryan LaHair reached on a fielding gaffe by Denorfia to start the inning and moved to third on a passed ball. Clevenger slapped a base hit to right, scoring LaHair and Vitters smoked a double to left to bring home the final two runs.
Hinshaw walked David DeJesus to put two runners on base, but he then fanned Brett Jackson. Brach struck out Starlin Castro to cap the frame.
Game Notes
Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to soreness and swelling at the base of his right index finger. He is listed as day-to-day...Raley was called up from Triple-A Iowa to take the spot of pitcher Matt Garza, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a stress reaction in his right elbow...Raley is the 15th rookie to suit up for the Cubs this season..The Padres improved to 42-0 when leading after eight innings...The Padres have taken the first two games of this series and assured themselves their fourth straight series win at home.
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